Restricted free agent Greg Monroe apparently does not want a contract extension from the Detroit Pistons after signing a one year $5.5 qualifying offer from the team. This move automatically sets hims as an unrestricted free agent next summer in the 2015 NBA Free agency according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY Sports:
Detroit Pistons forward-center Greg Monroe signed his qualifying offer on Friday, according to a league memo sent to team executives and obtained by USA TODAY Sports. Monroe will play the 2014-15 season with Detroit and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He cannot be traded this season without his consent.
But Monroe is taking a huge risk by signing the qualifying offer. If he gets injured or will have a down year in the coming season, his market value will surely plummet and teams will be reluctant to offer him a lucrative contract next summer in the free agency. He and his agent David Falk have clearly thought things through and have concluded that its better to sign the qualifying offer now and wait for next summer where they can cash in.
But more importantly, signing the qualifying offer gives Monroe complete control of his future. Monroe is reportedly unhappy with the direction of the franchise that's why he didn't take the contract extension offer from the Pistons. If he becomes an unrestricted free agent, he has the power to stay with the Pistons or sign with another team of his choice. Ultimately, he would be able to get both: Money and a winning franchise.
The fit with the Pistons is questionable, and it's fair that he'd be wary of committing to the franchise. If the team starts to turn it around under Van Gundy, then he could re-sign as an unrestricted free agent next offseason. If not, then he can go elsewhere without the threat of Detroit matching an offer sheet.
The qualifying deal with the Pistons also comes with a full no-trade clause which means that Monroe cannot be dealt to any team without his permission. This ensures that Monroe will be playing for the teams that he want's in the next chapter of his career.
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